Footlet and method of forming the same



April 28, 1964 R. E. cHEsEBho 3,130,566

FOOTLET AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME Filed Jan; 2, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I z/fnm) W W/J M J l unn ll ll v w\ April 28, 1964 R. E. cHEsE BRo 3,130,566

FOOTLET AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME Filed Jan. 2, l965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

32 J WMWMWQ YMM l2 W/WW ROBERT E, CHESEBRO 3,139,566 FGOTLET AND METHGD 01 FGRMHQG THE SAIVE Robert E. Chesebro, Sheboygan, Wis, assignor to Wigwam Mills, Inc., Sheboygan, Win, a corporation of Wisconsin Filed flan. 2, 1963, Ser. No. 249,060 Claims. (El. ss 171 The present invention relates to an article of foot wear and method of forming the same, and more particularly to such an article which is adapted to be worn inside a shoe and which is of a size such that the same is substantially covered by the shoe when worn in conjunction therewith.

Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a footlet, half sock, or the like, hereinafter referred to as a footlet, particularly adapted for use by sportswomen, such as female golfers, who prefer to have their legs uncovered between the hem of their skirt or shorts and the top edge of their shoes while engaged in outdoor sports so that this portion of the legs will be evenly tanned and there will be no areas of the legs, which are normally visible with dress wear, which will be untanned. Difficulties have been encountered with footlets of this type in that the same have a tendency to slide downwardly inside a shoe between the wearers heel and the heel portion of the shoe and become wrinkled causing great discomfort to the wearer and frequently resulting in blisters on the wearers heel.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel footlet of the type described and method of forming the same wherein a novel support tab is provided adjacent the upper edge of the heel embracing portion, which tab is adapted to be disposed exteriorly of the heel portion of a shoe to support the heel embracing portion of the footlet on the shoe to prevent the same from sliding downwardly thereinto, said support tab imparting an improved aesthetic appearance to the footlet and having improved supporting properties.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a footlet of the type described and method of forming the same wherein the support tab comprises first and second integrally knit gussets disposed in juxtaposed relation to the heel embracing portion, the upper edges of which are secured to the heel embracing portion by a line of stitching which normally maintains the gussets in juxtaposed relation to the heel embracing portion such that the support tab resists upward folding thereof to more readily support the heel embracing portion of the foctlet when the tab is positioned on the exterior of the heel portion of the shoe.

A still more specific object of the present invention is to provide a footlet of the type described and method of forming the same wherein the support tab is integrally knit with the heel embracing portion of the footlet, is folded downwardly into juxtaposed relation thereto and is secured in the downwardly folded position by a line of Over-edge stitching which provides a bulge exteriorly of the heel embracing portion which further aids in supporting the heel embracing portion of the footlet on the heel portion of the shoe.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel footlet blank and method of knitting the same which is very easily formed into a footlet having a novel support tab thereon.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a footlet blank knit in accordance with the present invention;

Patented Apr. 28, 196 1 FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 illustrating the step of cutting away a portion of the blank shown in FIGURE 1 to provide a foot receiving opening therein;

FEGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURES 1 and 2 with the support tab shown in folded position;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the upper left hand portion of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 showing the first over-edge stitching of the cut edges defining the foot receiving opening and for securing the support tab in the downwardly folded position;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially through the upper left hand portion of the footlet shown in FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged isometric View showing the finished footlet of the present invention on the foot of the wearer and in a shoe, with which the same is adapted to be worn.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGURE 1, there is shown a footlet blank generally indicated at it which is constructed in accordance with the present invention and which may be knit on any circular knitting machine, such as one having seventy-two (72) needles in the cylinder, for example. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not restricted to a particular number of needles or to this particular machine, since the footlet may be knit on other types of machines, such as a V-bed machine, for example.

Blank 11? includes a conventional make-up 11 at the upper end thereof formed of a plurality of circular courses of knit stitches. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, make-up 11 is formed of two courses of cotton yarn, but may be formed of any suitable yarn and any number of courses. Also, the remainder of blank 10 may be formed of any suitable single or plied yarn of natural or synthetic fibers or combination thereof. Preferably, the remainder of blank 10 is formed of plated worsted yarn and stretchable yarn, which may be elastic or elastomeric yarn, or crimped or torque thermoplastic yarn, such as Helanca nylon. Make-up 1'1 is followed by a plurality of starter courses 11a, preferably eight complete courses, to position stitches on all of the needles of the cylinder for reasons to become apparent.

Blank 10 also includes a firs-t narrowed gusset 12 formed of a plurality of partial courses, the first of which is knit integrally with a portion of the last starter course by approximately half of the needles of the cylinder, the remaining half of the needles being deactivated and holding the last formed stitches thereon. The partial courses of first narrowed gusset 12 are progressively decreased in length by successively deactivating one or more of the endrnost needles at the ends of the partial courses with the last formed stitches at opposite ends of the partial courses being held on the deactivated needles in the well known manner. Preferably, twenty needles of the needles being utilized to form the first narrowed gusset 12 are deactivated in this manner with approximately 15 needles remaining activated at all times.

A first widened gusset 13 is then knit integrally with the first narrowed gusset 12 by progressively reactivating the approximately 20 needles which were previously deactivated in the formation of first narrowed gusset 12. The pantial courses of the first widened gusset 13 are thereby progressively increased in length and have the endmost stitches thereof joined with the endmost stitches of the partial courses of first narrowed gusset 1'2. Gussets 12 and 13 cooperate to define a support tab pocket and the joined stitches of the partial courses thereof form suture or gore lines 14 at opposite sides of the support tab pocket.

An ankle portion 15 is then formed by knitting a plurality of complete circular courses of a sufficient number such that the upper edge of ankle portion 15 will be at substantially the same height as the upper edge of the heel portion of a shoe. Preferably, ankle portion 15 is formed of 38 complete courses, the first of which is knit with the last partial course of first widened gusset 13 and a portion of the last starter course.

A second narrowed gusset 16 is then integrally knit with a portion of the last course of ankle portion 15 and includes a plurality of partial courses which are progressively decreased in length similarly to first narrowed gusset 12. A second widened gusset 17 is then integrally knit with the second narrowed gusset 16 by knitting a plurality of partial courses progressively increasing in length with the partial courses being connected to the partial courses of the second narrowed gusset 16 in the same manner as described above in connection with gussets 12 and 13 and with the connected or joined stitches of the partial courses defining suture or gore lines 29. Second narrowed gusset 16 and second widened gusset 17 cooperate to define a heel pocket which, in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, is the same size as the support tab pocket defined by gussets 12 and 13. It should be noted, however, that the same may be of different sizes without departing from the scope of the instant invention.

A sole portion 21 and an instep portion 22 are then formed integrally with gusset 17 and ankle portion 15 by knitting a plurality of complete circular courses of any desired number to form the foot portion of footlets of various sizes, as is conventional. For example, 108 courses in the sole and instep portions correspond to sizes 911 when stretch yarn is used. The sole portion 21 and instep portion 22 define a body portion connecting the heel pocket defined by gussets 16 and 17 to a toe pocket defined by a third narrowed gusset 23 which is then formed by knitting a plurality of partial courses progressively decreasing in length and a third widened gusset 24 which is integrally knit with the third narrowed gusset 23 by knitting a plurality of partial courses progressively increasing in length with the partial courses of the third widened gusset 24 being connected to corresponding courses of the third narrowed gusset 23 in the same manner as described above. The joined or connected stitches of the partial courses of gussets 23 and 24 define suture or gore lines 25.

A plurality of looper courses are then knit and the end of the third widened gusset 24 is connected to the forward end of the instep portion 22 by a conventional looping operation which cuts away the looper courses and forms a looper seam 26. Of course, the gusset 2 may be connected to instep portion 22 by any conventional method such as stitching. This completes the blank 11? from which the footlet of the present invention is formed.

The blank is then cut to form a foot receiving opening with the preferred cut being indicated by the dotted line 27 in FIGURE 1 which extends diagonally downwardly from the inner end of the gore line 14 on one side of first narrowed gusset 12 and first widened gusset 13 to a point in the instep portion 22, then across a portion of the instep 22 for approximately one-half inch as indicated at 270, then diagonally upwardly across the other side of the blank 16 to the inner end of the gore line 14 at the other side of first narrowed gusset 12 and first widened gusset 13 and then around the last starter course to remove the starter courses 11a, make-up 11, a generally tapered portion of the ankle portion and a portion of the instep portion 22. The thusly cut blank is shown in FlGURE 2 and has a cut upper edge 30 which defines a foot receiving opening.

The first widened gusset 13 is then folded downwardly exteriorly of the remaining ankle portion 15 along a fold line indicated by the dotted line 31 in FIGURE 2 and corresponding generally to the first course of ankle portion 15. It is noted that when the first widened gusset 13 is thusly folded, the first narrowed gusset 12 is inherently folded against the first widened gusset 13 along the gore lines 14 such that the upper edge of the first narrowed gusset 12 is disposed generally at the same elevation as the upper edge of the first widened gusset 13 and the upper edge of the ankle portion 15 substantial as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. Also, the gore lines 14 are substantially parallel to gore lines 20 of gussets 16 and 17 when first widened gusset 13 is properly folded into juxtaposed relation with ankle portion 15.

The upper edge of first narrowed gusset 12 and the upper edge of first widened gusset 13 are then secured together and to the upper edge of ankle portion 15 by a line of over-edge stitching 32 penetrating therethrough. Simultaneously with the formation of over-edge stitching 32, an elastic member 33 (FIGURE 6) is placed in contiguous relation to the cut upper edge 30 and to the upper edge of the first narrowed gusset 12 in a pretensioned condition and is secured to such edges around thet foot receiving opening defined thereby by the overedge seam 32. It is noted that when the over-edge seam 32 is completed, and the tension is released from the elastic member 33, the elastic member contracts and thereby normally constricts the foot receiving opening and serves as constricting means therefor to maintain the footlet on the foot of a wearer.

Preferablby, over-edge seam 32 is formed by a Merrow machine having a knife thereon which cuts blank 10 along the line 27 immediately prior to the formation of the stitching 32. In such case, only the cut 27a would be made prior to beginning the cutting and seaming at the Merrow machine. Also, the first widened gusset 13 would be folded downwardly about the fold line 31 or until the gore lines 14 are substantially parallel to gore lines 2t of the heel pocket. The machine operator would make such a fold and would then feed the folded blank to the Merrow machine. It is noted that there are a number of conventional mechanisms available for feeding the elastic member 33 into position during the formation of seam 32.

A second line or seam 34 of decorative stitching (FIG- URE 7) is preferably formed around the foot receiving opening over the first over-edge seam 32. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the seam 34 is formed of a larger, looser thread than the seam 32 and is formed of crochet stitches, which may be formed by hand or by a crochet machine such as a Model F] Crochet Machine manufactured by Merrow Machine Company, and which crochet stitches impart an improved aesthetic appearance to the footlet. In addition, seam 34 reinforces the upper edge of the footlet and aids in maintaining the support tab in the downwardly folded position.

It is noted that first over-edge seam 32, elastic member 33 and second seam 34 result in a substantial thickened portion at the upper edges of first narrowed gusset 12, first widened gusset 13 and ankle portion 15, which aids in supporting the angle portion 15 of the footlet on a shoe S (FIGURE 7). In this regard, it is noted that even if gussets 12 and 13 were folded upwardly, the same would be folded in this manner about the lower edge of seam 34 and the aforementioned bulge would be increased by the two layers of gussets 12 and 13, which in most instances, would be sufficient to support the footlet on the shoe even with gussets 12 and 13 folded upwardly.

While the footlet of the present invention has been described as being particularly adapted to be worn by women, it should be understood that the same may be constructed to be worn by men without departing from the scope of the instant invention as defined in the claims.

It will therefore be apparent that a novel footlet and method for forming the same is provided wherein a support tab of increased aesthetic appearance is provided at the rear upper edge of the footlet which is adapted toengage the heel portion of a shoe and to better support the footlet thereon.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. A footlet adapted to be worn inside a shoe and to be substantially covered thereby comprising (a) a tubular body having an upper edge defining an opening therein adapted to receive the foot of the wearer therethrough to provide access to the interior thereof, said tubular body including a toe portion, a heel embracing portion, and a body portion connecting said toe and heel embracing portions, and

(b) a support tab disposed in juxtaposed relation to said heel embracing portion and having an inner end connected to the heel embracing portion adjacent the upper edge thereof and a free outer terminal end, said support tab comprising a pair of fashioned integrally knit juxtaposed gussets each including a plurality of courses connected to corresponding courses of the other gusset, said support tab being adapted to be disposed on the outside of the heel portion of a shoe to support the heel embracing portion of said footlet thereon to prevent the same from sliding downwardly into the shoe.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein one of said gussets has the inner end thereof integrally knit with the upper edge of said heel embracing portion, the courses of said one gusset progressively decreasing in length from the inner end thereof to the outer terminal end thereof and the courses of the other gusset progressively increasing in length from the outer terminal end thereof to the inner end thereof, and stitching connecting the inner ends of said gussets together and to the upper edge of said heel embracing portion.

3. A knit footlet adapted to be worn inside a shoe and to be substantially covered thereby comprising (a) a toe portion, a heel embracing portion and a body portion connecting said toe and heel embracing portions, said footlet having an upper edge defining an opening adapted to receive the foot of a wearer therethrough to provide access to the interior thereof, said body portion being formed of complete courses and said toe and heel embracing portions being formed of partial courses.

(b)a support tab disposed in juxtaposed relation to said heel embracing portion and comprising first and second fashioned integrally knit juxtaposed gussets each including a plurality of partial courses progressively decreasing in length from an inner end to an outer terminal end, said first gusset having the inner end thereof integrally knit with the upper edge of said heel embracing portion and being folded downwardly outwardly of said heel embracing portion and into juxtaposed relation thereto,

() stitching connecting the inner ends of said first and second gussets together and to the upper edge of said heel embracing portion in juxtaposed relation thereto, and

(d) resilient means surrounding said foot receiving opening in contiguous relation to said upper edge of said footlet for normally maintaining said opening of constricted size to maintain the footlet on the foot of a wearer.

4. A knit footlet adapted to be worn inside a shoe and to be substantially covered thereby comprising (a) a toe portion, a heel embracing portion, and a body portion connecting said toe and heel embracing portions, said body portion and heel embracing portion having an upper edge defining an opening adapted to receive the foot of a wearer therethrough to provide access to the interior theretof, said body portion being formed of complete courses and said toe and heel embracing portions being formed of partial courses,

(b) a support tab disposed in juxtaposed relation to said heel embracing portion and comprising first and second fashioned integrally knit gussets, said first gusset having an inner end integrally knit with the upper edge of said heel embracing portion and including a plurality of partial courses progressively decreasing in length from the inner end to an outer terminal end, said second gusset including a plurality of partial courses connected to corresponding courses of said first gusset with the points of connection of said courses defining gore lines at opposite sides of the gussets, said second gusset having the partial courses thereof progressively increasing in length from an outer terminal end to an inner end, said first gusset being folded downwardly outwardly of said heel embracing portion along a line generally corresponding to the point of connection thereto into juxtaposed relation to said heel embracing portion and said second gusset being folded into juxtaposed relation to said first gusset along said gore lines,

(0) over-edge stitching connecting the inner ends of said first and second gussets together and to the upper edge of said heel embracing portion to normally maintain said gussets in said downwardly extending relation to said heel embracing portion, said overedge stitching extending around said upper edge of said body and heel embracing portions to form an over-edge seam around said foot receiving opening,

(d) an elastic member encircling said foot receiving opening in contiguous relation to said upper edge and being connected to said upper edge by said overedge stitching for normally maintaining said foot receiving opening of constricted size to maintain the footlet on the foot of a wearer, and

(e) decorative stitching extending around said upper edge of said body and heel embracing portions over said over-edge stitching for imparting an improved aesthetic appearance to said footlet.

5. A knit footlet blank constructed to be formed into a footlet having a support tab thereon which is adapted to be disposed on the outside of the heel portion of a shoe to support the footlet thereon, said footlet blank comprising (a) a toe portion, a heel embracing portion, and sole and instep portions connecting said toe and heel embracing portions,

(b) an ankle portion integrally knit with said heel and instep portions,

(0) a first fashioned gusset integrally knit with said ankle portion and including a plurality of courses progressively decreasing in length from the end of said first gusset connected to said ankle portion to an outer terminal end, and

(d) a second fashioned gusset having an outer terminal end integrally knit with the outer end of said first fashioned gusset and including a plurality of courses progressively increasing in length from the outer terminal end to an inner end, the courses of said second gusset being connected to corresponding courses of said first gusset.

6. A method of forming a footlet blank to be formed into a footlet having a support tab thereon adapted to be disposed on the outside of a heel portion of a shoe for supporting the footlet thereon, said method comprising the steps of (a) forming the support tab by knitting a plurality of partial courses to form a first gusset while progressively decreasing the length thereof from an inner end to an outer terminal end and then integrally knitting therewith a plurality of partial courses to form a second gusset while progressively increasing the length thereof from an outer terminal end to an inner end and while connecting the partial courses of I? the second gusset to corresponding partial courses of the first gusset,

(b) forming an ankle portion by knitting a plurality of complete courses,

() forming a heel portion by knitting a plurality of partial courses while progressively decreasing the length of the partialcourses to form a first gusset and then knitting a plurality of partial courses while pro gressively increasing the length thereof to form a second gusset and while connecting the partial courses of the second gusset to corresponding partial courses of the first gusset,

(d) forming sole and instep portions by knitting a plurality of complete courses,

(2) forming a toe portion by knitting a plurality of partial courses while progressively decreasing the length of the partial courses to form a first gusset, and then knitting a plurality of partial courses while progressively increasing the length of the partial courses to form a second gusset and while connecting the partial courses thereof to corresponding partial courses of the first gusset, and

(f) connecting the second gusset of the toe portion to thetinstep portion.

7. A method of forming a footlet adapted to be worn inside a shoe and to be substantially covered thereby, said footlet having a support tab thereon adapted to be disposed on the outside of the heel portion of the shoe for supporting the footlet thereon, said method comprising the steps of (a) forming the support tab by knitting a plurality of courses to form a first gusset, and then knitting a plurality of courses to form a second gusset while connecting the courses of the second gusset to corresponding courses of the first gusset,

(12) forming a tubular body by knitting a heel embracing portion, a toe portion and a body portion connecting the toe and heel embracing portions,

(C) positioning the integrally knit first and second gussets in juxtaposed relation to each other and to the heel embracing portion, and then (d) stitching the upper edges of the first and second gussets together and to the heel embracing portion adjacent the upper edge thereof to form a support tab connected to the heel embracing portion and adapted to be disposed exteriorly of the heel portion of a shoe to thereby support the heel embracing portion thereon to prevent the same from sliding downwardly inside the shoe.

8. A method of forming a footlet adapted to be worn insidea shoe and to be substantially covered thereby, said footlet having a support tab thereon adapted to be disposed on-the outside of the heel portion of the shoe for supporting the footlet thereon, said method comprising the steps-of (a) forming the support tab by knitting a plurality of courses to form a first gusset and then knitting a plurality of courses to form a second gusset while connecting the courses of the second gusset to corresponding courses of the first gusset, then (b) integrally knitting therewith a plurality of courses to form a heel embracing portion, a body portion connected to the heel embracing portion and a toe portion connected to the body portion,

(0) folding the first and second gussets into juxtaposed relation and folding the second gusset downwardly outwardly of the heel embracing portion to position the first and second gussets in juxtaposed relation thereto, and then (:1) stitching the upper edges of the first and second gussets together and to the upper edge of the heel embracing portion to normally maintain said support tab in depending relation to better support the heel embracing portion of the footlet on the heel portion of the shoe when the tab is positioned on the outside of theheel portion.

9. A method of forming a footlet adapted to be worn inside a shoe and to be substantially covered thereby, said footlet having a support tab thereon adapted to be disposed on the outside of the heel portion of the shoe for supporting the footlet thereon, said method comprising the steps of (a) forming the support tab by knitting a plurality of partial courses while progressively decreasing the length of the partial courses to form a first narrowed gusset, and then knitting a plurality of partial courses while progressively increasing the length of the partial courses to form a first widened gusset and while connecting the partial courses of the first widened gusset to corresponding partial courses of the first narrowed gusset,

(b) knitting a plurality of complete courses to form an ankle portion,

(c) forming a heel pocket by knitting a plurality of partial courses while progressively decreasing the length of the partial courses to form a second narrowed gusset and then knitting a plurality of partial courses while progressively increasing the length of the partial courses to form a second widened gusset and while connecting the partial courses of the second widened gusset to corresponding courses of the second narrowed gusset,

(d) knitting a plurality of complete cuorses to form sole and instep portions,

(e) forming a toe pocket by knitting a plurality of partial courses while progressively decreasing the length thereof to form a third narrowed gusset and then knitting a plurality of partial courses while progressively increasing the length thereof to form a third widened gusset while connecting the partial courses of the third widened gusset to the partial courses ofthe third narrowed gusset,

(f) connecting the third widened gusset to the instep portion,

(g) forming a foot receiving opening in the footlet by removing a portion of the instep portion and the front part of the ankle portion,

(h) folding the first narrowed and first widened gussets into juxtaposed relation while folding the first widened gusset downwardly outwardly of the ankle portion and into juxtaposed relation thereto, and

(i) stitching the upper edges of the first narrowed gusset and the first widened gusset together and to the upper edge of the ankle portion to normally maintain the support tab in depending relation to said ankle portion.

10. A method of forming a footlet adaptedto be worn inside a shoe and to be substantially covered thereby, said footlet having a support tab thereon adapted to be disposed on the outside of the heel portion of the shoe for supporting the footlet thereon, said method comprising the steps of (a) knitting a plurality of complete courses to form a make-up and starter courses,

(b) forming the support tabe by knitting a plurality of partial courses while progressively decreasing the length of the partial courses to form a first narrowed gusset and then knitting a plurality of partial courses while progressively increasing the length of the partial courses to form a first widened gusset and while connecting the partial courses thereof to corresponding partial courses of the first narrowed gusset,

(c) knitting a plurality of complete courses to form an ankle encircling portion,

(0!) forming a heel pocket by knitting a plurality of partial courses while progressively decreasing the length of the partial courses to form a second narrowed gusset and then knitting a plurality of partial courses while progressively increasing the length of the partial courses to form a second widened gusset and while connecting the partial courses thereof to corresponding partial courses of the second narrowed gusset, then (e) knitting a plurality of complete courses to form sole and instep portions,

(1) forming a toe pocket by knitting a plurality of partial courses while progressively decreased the length thereof to form a third narrowed gusset and then knitting a plurality of partial courses while progressively increasing the length thereof to form a third widened gusset and while connecting the partial courses of the third widened gusset to corresponding partial courses of the third narrowed gusset,

(g) connecting the third widened gusset to the instep portion to complete a blank for the footlet,

(11) forming a foot receiving opening in the blank by removing a generally tapered portion from the front part of the ankle portion and from the instep portion by cutting along a line generally extending from one side of the first narrowed gusset downwardly to a point in the instep portion and then upwardly on the opposite side of the footlet blank to the other side of the first narrowed gusset and then around the upper edge of the first narrowed gusset to remove the make-up, starter courses, and said tapered ankle and instep portion,

(i) folding the first narrowed gusset and first widened gusset into juxtaposed relation while folding the first widened gusset downwardly along a line corresponding generally to the first course of the ankle portion to position the first narrowed and first widened gussets in juxtaposed relation to the ankle portion,

(j) stitching the upper edges of the first narrowed gusset and the first widened gusset together and to the upper edge of the ankle portion to form an overedge seam,

(k) continuing the over-edge seam around the foot receiving opening of the blank while (I) laying in an elastic member around the foot receiving opening in contiguous relation to the portion of the blank defining the same and securing the elastic member to this portion in tensioned condition to normally constrict the foot receiving opening, and then (m) crocheting decorative stitching around the portion defining the foot receiving opening over said overedge seam to provide a decorative effect thereon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,544,934 Prankard July 7, 1925 2,038,844 Le Dorf Apr. 28, 1936 2,333,373 Grey Nov. 2, 1943 2,623,374 Hinchman Dec. 30, 1952 2,649,588 Kantor Aug. 25, 1953 2,691,779 Bell Oct. 19, 1954 2,721,463 Tuberty Oct. 25, 1955 2,904,980 Stinson Sept. 22, 1959 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE GE CURRECTION Patent No, 3 130566 April 28,, 1964 Robert E Cheseloro It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, line 20, for "thet" read the line 27, for "Preferalolby" read Preferably column 5, line 4'7 for courses, read courses line 74, for "theretof" read thereof column 8, line 29, for "cuorses" read courses line 61 for "tabe" read tab column 9, line 8, for "decreased" read decreasing D Signed and sealed this 8th day of September 1964,

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W, SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Aitesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A FOOTLET ADAPTED TO BE WORN INSIDE A SHOE AND TO BE SUBSTANTIALLY COVERED THEREBY COMPRISING (A) A TUBULAR BODY HAVING AN UPPER EDGE DEFINING AN OPENING THEREIN ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE FOOT OF THE WEARER THERETHROUGH TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE INTERIOR THEREOF, SAID TUBULAR BODY INCLUDING A TOE PORTION, A HEEL EMBRACING PORTION, AND A BODY PORTION CONNECTING SAID TOE AND HEEL EMBRACING PORTIONS, AND (B) A SUPPORT TAB DISPOSED IN JUXTAPOSED RELATION TO SAID HEEL EMBRACING PORTION AND HAVING AN INNER END CONNECTED TO THE HEEL EMBRACING PORTION ADJACENT THE UPPER EDGE THEREOF AND A FREE OUTER TERMINAL END, SAID SUPPORT TAB COMPRISING A PAIR OF FASHIONED INTEGRALLY KNIT JUXTAPOSED GUSSETS EACH INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF COURSES CONNECTED TO CORRESPONDING COURSES OF THE OTHER GUSSET, SAID SUPPORT TAB BEING ADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE HEEL PORTION OF A SHOE TO SUPPORT THE HEEL EMBRACING PORTION OF SAID FOOTLET THEREON TO PREVENT THE SAME FROM SLIDING DOWNWARDLY INTO THE SHOE. 